Golf club



M. B. REACH May 23,1933.

GOLF CLUB 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 4, 1950 In uenior: .DZi li'on B. Reach 13%. M Auys.

M. B. REACH May 23, 1933.

GOLF CLUB Filed Nov. 4, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inueni'or:

' J fi'li'on 19. Beach, 3 V @5 1 8 Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT... OFFICE. I

MILTON B. REACH, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIG-IITOR TO A. G. SI'ALDINGi & 3308., OF OHICOPEE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF- NEW. JERSEY GOLF CLUB Application filed November 4, 1930. Serial No. 493,355,

My said invention relates more particularly to a Wood club head having a metal sole plate and aims to provide a construction whereby the plate will be more effectively locked in position and also which will provide a minimum amount of area and weight at the center of the sole of the head and a correspondingly larger distribution, for a given weight, at the front and back edges Where most of the wear occurs.

A further object is to provide a construction embodying means whereby the different clubs such as a driver, brassie or spoon may be readily distinguished by the player.

With these and other objects in view the invention includes the novel construction hereinafter described and defined by the appended claims. A club head embodying my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a bottom face view of the club head, and

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a modification.

Fig. 4. is a section on line 4. l of Fig. 2.

Referring by reference characters to these drawings, the numeral 1 designates the club head and 2 the sole plate thereof.

This latter is of approximately X shape with two sets of arms 2a and 2?) diverging in opposite directions towards the driving face and back of the club and forming an approximately X shaped figure, the extremities of the arms of the diverging arms being connected by integral cross members 20 and 2d lying respectively at the front and back of the club and having their front and back edges shaped to conform to the respective edges of the club head. the club has grooves cut therein corresponding in shape to the shape of the sole plate which is secured in place in such grooves by means such as screws 3, the bottom of the sole plate being flush with the bottom face of the club head.

By reason of the diverging arms and terminal cross members, recesses 20 are formed into which the wood of the club projects.

By this arrangement the sole plate is locked against movement, not only by its outside The bottom face of edges which converge towards the center of the sole, but also by'the portions of the head which project into and interlock with the recesses 26. It will be further apparent that by reason of the shape shown, including the converging portions of the plate and its recesses, a minimum amount of area and weight of plate is provided at and adjacent the center of the sole which permits a larger distribution of weight, fora given weight of sole plate, at the front and back edges Where most of the wear occurs. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 I omit the diamond shaped or triangular wood proections engagingthe recesses 2e and recess thebottom of the club 4 to a depthwhich is greater than the thickness of the sole plate. To the bottom of this recess I cement a sheet or layer 5 of fiberoid or analogous material which adheres so strongly to the said bottom as to be substantially homogeneous therewith. The sole plate 6 is then placed in position and secured by the screws 7 Thereafter the surface of the fiberoid exposed through the triangular diamond shaped openings is softened or treated with a solvent of fiberoid (such as ethyl acetate) and'diamond shaped inserts 8 having their surfaces similarly softened, are placed in the recesses of the sole plate and pressed or'clamped untildry when thefsoftened surfaces become homogeneously united, such inserts thereby corresponding in holding function to the diamond shaped Wood projections of Figs. 1 and 2. I i

These fiberloid inserts may be made in any desired colors which adds materially to the attractive appearance of the club, and byusing inserts of different or various colors the different clubs of a set, such as driver, brassie and (or) spoon may be differentiated, thus enabling the player, through recognition of the colors, to quickly select from the bag the desired club.

While I have disclosed the openings and inserts as triangular it will be understood that I do not limit myself to this particular shape. A further advantage with this particular arrangement ofFigs. 3 and 4 is that stock club heads maybe made up in advance without the inserts, and these subsequently applied by the dealer or professional in colors or color combinations as desired by the customer.

It will be understood that where I use the term fiberloid, this is intended to include any material of similar or pyroxylin nature.

Having thus described my invention, what lolclaimisz 1. A-golf club head having a recess in its bottom face extending generally from the front and rear edges of said face, said recess being of minimum width at substantially the longitudinal center line of the head, and gradually; increasing in width towards the front and rearedges of said face, said recess having on each side ofthe said longitudinal center line a projection dividingthe recess on each, side of said center line into two branches, and a sole plate of minimum width at its center portion,'and of gradually increasing width towards its front and rear edges to correspond with the general contour of said recess in the bottom face of the head, said plate having an opening oneach side of its narrow centralportion, in which open: ings the projections from the head lie, substantially as described.

2. A golf club head according to claim 1 in which the projections extending frorn the bottom of the recess of the head into the openings of the plate. consist of insert pieces adhesively secured to the head, substantiala5 ly as described. v r r I j 3. A golf club having a recessin the bottom face of its head extending from the front to the rear edges thereof, and of a form to present shoulders extending across the line of thrust in making strokes,said recess being narrowest at a point intermediate the front and rear faces of the club, a sole plate of a shape to fit said recess and engage the shoulders'thereof, the edges of said plate 5 being exposed at the front and rear edges of the bottom face of the head, said plate having an opening therein and a fiberloid insert in said opening of the plate and attached to the bottomof the recess in thebody of the head and serving as an abutment to take the thrust of the plate.

In testimony whereof, I affix. my'signature.

" MILTON B. REACH. 

